Short Answer Questions

1. What does is the name of the song the calypso singer sings at Harry's table?

2. What is Charlie's surname?

3. What does Pru say Nelson is ashamed of her being?

4. Who does Nelson mimic in this chapter?

5. Why did Ma Springer have to use the good china?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Harry react when he sees Charlie back at work?

2. How does Harry's night with Thelma change him?

3. Why does Nelson like Pru?

4. What does Charlie say about the business?

5. What do Pru and Nelson do in Brewer?

6. How does Janice react when she sees the gold coins?

7. How does Harry cope with sailing the tiller?

8. Why is Harry thankful that Janice does not talk about Cindy?

9. Why does Harry have to go along with Bessie and Janice's idea to take on Nelson?

10. What does Charlie tell Harry about the situation with Nelson?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine Rabbit's character across the whole series.

-How does Updike develop Rabbit's character across the whole series?

-What new elements does Updike add to Rabbit's character?

Essay Topic 2

Look at the structure of the novel.

-How does the author use character and dialogue to drive the narrative?

-Discuss elements of the narrative structure; Exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? -How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

Essay Topic 3

Compare Rabbit's character to the person he is a the beginning of the story to the person he is at the end of the story: